Bulldogs vs Broncos

Bulldogs

Starting: Reimis Smith, Jeremy Marshall-King.

Bench/Extended Bench: Fa'amanu Brown, Greg Eastwood, Ofahiki Ogden/Renouf To'omaga, Francis Tualau.

Broncos

Starting: Jamayne Isaako, Jordan Kahu, Kodi Nikorima, Alex Glenn.

Bench/Extended Bench: /Sam Tagataese.

Doc's Word

Two young #KiwiNRL halfbacks going head to head in another #KiwiNRL battle for Jeremy Marshall-King. Last week he lined up against older bro Benji and his Bulldogs upset the Tigers, now Marshall-King faces off against Kodi Nikorima and both play second fiddle to their respective halves partners so it'll be interesting to see who can have a greater influence on the game.

A lot has been made about the young Broncos forwards, presenting an enticing opportunity for Ofahiki Ogden to snatch some of the spotlight. Ogden has been delightful for the Bulldogs through the middle in limited minutes off the bench and Ogden could get a few more minutes this week with David Klemmer out suspended; Ogden usually gets 20mins or less and anything over 20mins will be a boost. 

Same goes for Fa'amanu Brown who added to the Bulldogs performance last week. The injection of Brown at hooker and Ogden up the guts could give the Bulldogs a nice second wave that they'll need if they are to stay in the contest against an eager Broncos team.

Knights vs Tigers

Knights

Starting: Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Herman Ese'ese, Danny Levi.

Bench/Extended Bench: Haters.

Tigers

Starting: Esan Marsters, Benji Marshall, Russell Packer, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor.

Bench/Extended Bench: /Pita Godinet, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak.

Doc's Word

Herman Ese'ese comes back into the starting side for the Knights, putting him up against the #KiwiNRL Tigers middle pack of Russell Packer, Ben Matulino and Elijah Taylor. From that group, keep a close eye on Packer's contributions as he was relatively quiet last week and despite Matulino being in rampant form, the Tigers need Packer playing his role alongside Matulino.

Michael Chee Kam's consistently been one of the Tigers best this season and he'll line up against either Lachlan Fitzgibbon or Mitchell Barnett, both of whom have been fantastic on the edges for Newcastle. Chee Kam's footwork and skill will trouble the Knights, but the Knights will have plenty of ammunition to throw Chee Kam's way with Kalyn Ponga, Connor Watson and Mitchell Pearce all named to play.

Rabbitohs vs Storm

Rabbitohs

Starting: Haters.

Bench/Extended Bench: Haters.

Storm

Starting: Jahrome Hughes, Jesse Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

Bench/Extended Bench: Kenny Bromwich/Albert Vete.

Doc's Word

This is likely to be a full strength Melbourne Storm team. I say likely because I still reckon Brandon Smith should be on the bench in a full strength Storm team, but that's just my own #KiwiNRL bias; Smith is named at hooker for Easts Tigers in reserve grade. There is still plenty of #KiwiNRL joy in this Storm team though with Jahrome Hughes looking like the first choice half to partner Cameron Munster and with the return of Dale Finucane, Kenny Bromwich drops back to the bench.

Felise Kaufusi and Ryan Hoffman are 80 minute edge forwards, leaving the four bench players named battling for minutes through the middle. They all offer something different for the Storm and I'll be interested in how many minutes Kenny Bromwich gets as he's been low key solid for Melbourne this season and deserves a fair crack.

Dragons vs Warriors

Dragons

Starting: Jordan Pereira, Jason Nightingale.

Bench/Extended Bench: Leeson Ah Mau/Patrick Herbet.

Warriors

Starting: All but Blake Green.

Bench/Extended Bench: All the lads.

Doc's Word

Jordan Pereira is still on the Dragons' wing and Leeson Ah Mau faces his future club. For the Warriors, Blake Green is the only Australian in the squad of 22 with Karl Lawton dropping out.

Eels vs Titans

Eels

Starting: Marata Niukore.

Bench/Extended Bench: Peni Terepo, Brad Takairangi/Greg Leleisiuao.

Titans

Starting: Kevin Proctor.

Bench/Extended Bench: Moeaki Fotuaika.

Doc's Word

Moeaki Fotuaika's impact off the bench last week was huge and played a role in swinging momentum in favour of the Titans; in 36mins Fotuaika had 9runs/103m, making over 10m/run.

Fotuaika will be keen to do the same against the Eels and that'll offer an exciting battle between Fotuaika and fellow Tongan Peni Terepo who adds a serious dose of power and mobility to the Eels forward pack off the bench. Terepo also has a pass at the line in his repitoire;

Roosters vs Cowboys

Roosters

Starting: Joseph Manu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Isaac Liu.

Bench/Extended Bench: Zane Tetevano.

Cowboys

Starting: Te Maire Martin, Jason Taumalolo.

Bench/Extended Bench: Haters.

Doc's Word

Isaac Liu continues to get minutes on the Roosters right edge with Victor Radley commanding a starting spot in the middle. Radley will be on a mission to slow down Jason Taumalolo and Sio Siua Taukeiaho vs Taumalolo will be epic as they go about their business through the middle in very similar ways.

Te Maire Martin still holds on to the Cowboys fullback spot and while Martin's doing a nice job there, Cooper Cronk will target Martin's positioning and security under the high ball. Look for Cronk to kick early and work Martin over with all sorts of funky kicks.

Sharks vs Sea Eagles

Sharks

Starting: Sosaia Feki, Sione Katoa.

Bench/Extended Bench: /Ava Seumanufagai.

Sea Eagles

Starting: Addin Fonua-Blake, Manase Fainu, Martin Taupau.

Bench/Extended Bench: /Toafofoa Sipley.

Doc's Word

Despite Manly's struggles, we are starting to get more glimpses of Manase Fainu's ability at hooker and Fainu's work at dummy half is a bright spot for Sea Eagles fans. Fainu scored a try and played 69mins in the narrow loss to Penrith Panthers and while his running stats weren't amazing 3 dummy half runs for 21m, his try came from a dummy half scoot and lovely footwork. Against the Sharks, Fainu's got to run more and ensure that Andrew Fifita, Matt Prior, Paul Gallen and Aaron Woods are kept busy defending around the ruck.

Panthers vs Raiders

Panthers

Starting: Dean Whare, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Sione Katoa, James Fisher-Harris.

Bench/Extended Bench: Corey Harawira-Naera.

Raiders

Starting: Brad Abbey, Jordan Rapana, Iosia Soliola, Joseph Tapine.

Bench/Extended Bench: Siliva Havili/Makahesi Makatoa.

Doc's Word

Lost in the matrix from last weekend's games was the fact that Brad Abbey slid over to the wing and Nick Cotric took the fullback spot. This is notable because I thought it might be on the cards as soon as Cotric got a decent opportunity there via Abbey's concussion, with Cotric being a bit of a gun, but also because it gives the Raiders an all #KiwiNRL wing combo.

I've highlighted how the Dragons (Pereira/Nightingale) and Sharks (Feki/Katoa) have had all #KiwiNRL wing combos with Pereira getting his debut and Feki enjoying a resurgence. Now we can add the Raiders to that as Abbey joins Jordan Rapana on the flanks for Canberra.

Jahtearoa Premiers

Fullback: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Wings: Jordan Rapana, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Centres: Esan Marsters, Dean Whare.
Halves: Shaun Johnson, Benji Marshall.
Middles: Jesse Bromwich, Jason Taumalolo, Martin Taupau, Issac Luke.
Edges: Tohu Harris, Joseph Tapine.
Bench: Kodi Nikorima, James Fisher-Harris, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Sio Siua Taukeiaho.

Jahtearoa Reserves

Fullback: Jamayne Isaako.
Wings: David Fusitu'a, Jordan Kahu.
Centres: Joseph Manu, Gerard Beale.
Halves: Te Maire Martin, Jahrome Hughes.
Middles: Ben Matulino, Herman Ese'ese, Kenny Bromwich, Danny Levi.
Edges: Alex Glenn, Simon Mannering.
Bench: Siliva Havili, Leeson Ah Mau, Moeaki Fotuaika, Michael Chee Kam.

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Peace and love 27.